Latest Tom Dienhart News

The the third stop on the 2016 BTN summer bus tour brought us to College Park, Maryland, where our team watched DJ Durkin's first Terrapins team practice. Seewhat BTN.com senior writer Tom Dienhart learned inside.

New Rutgers coach Chris Ash has work to do after arriving from a gig as defensive coordinator at Ohio State. Good thing his area of specialty is defense, as the Scarlet Knights need a lot of help on that side of the ball. Rutgers ranked No. 13 in the Big Ten in total defense in 2015 (462.0 ypg) and 12th in scoring (34.9 ppg). The back seven needs a lot of work, as the linebacking corps is being rebuilt and a young secondary needs to mature. The offense will be undergoing a scheme change. One of the biggest position battles

Rolling through the hills of Pennsylvania on the Big Ten Network bus, what better time than now to dip into my Big Ten Mailbag? Exactly. I look at the continued perceived disrespect of Michigan State. And would Wisconsin be the West Division fav if it had a veteran QB? How will Purdue’s schedule break down? That and more. Let’s go! You certainly disrespected Michigan State if your story of “best chance for Big Ten teams to get upset.” Are the Spartans now chopped liver? Looks like you just fall in line with others, overlooking Sparty. Interesting. – Roger Elliott Look,

The DJ Durkin era has begun in College Park, Maryland. Can he move the Terrapins up the pecking order in the rugged Big Ten East? It will be tough, as Durkin and company have some key personnel issues to deal with and problems to solve. In the Big Ten, Maryland ranked 11th in scoring defense (34.4 ppg) and 11th in total defense (421.2 ypg). The offense also has problems. No school in the nation turned the ball over more than Maryland’s 36. And the quarterback play was abysmal, as the Terps tossed an FBS-high 29 interceptions for a program that

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State put on a high-tempo, intense practice with no wasted motion Tuesday morning. There also was a lot of contact, as players went through pass rush drills live. No shortage of action on what was just the third practice of camp in Columbus. [ MORE: Dienhart: 5 things I learned at Ohio State practice ] Most impressive player: LB Raekwon McMillan is a living, breathing NFL player who is still in college. Top specimen: It’s impossible not to notice 6-5, 266-pound DE Sam Hubbard, who looks primed for stardom with Joey Bosa gone. Loudest coach: DB

Ohio State and Urban Meyer face some big challenges as they try to reclaim the Big Ten title with 12 NFL draft picks gone and just eight starters back. Meyer has lived a charmed life since taking over Ohio State in 2012, posting a 50-4 overall record and a 31-1 Big Ten mark. His crowning feat was winning the 2014 national championship, and last year’s team looked poised to repeat before a late-season stumble at home vs. Michigan State. The goal is to get back to summit. [ MORE: @BTNStatsGuys: 5 fun Ohio State facts ] Here is what I’ll

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. — Let’s get this out of the way right now: This is the most talented team in Kevin Wilson’s tenure in Bloomington. He has continually improved recruiting and has enhanced speed over the years. But Wilson continues to look for a breakthrough win—and a winning record, something IU hasn’t had since 2007. [ MORE: Dienhart: 5 things I learned at Indiana practice ] With that out of the way, let’s get to my best of Indiana practice. Most impressive player: Dan Feeney. The All-American guard didn’t disappoint. He plays with the hard, aggressive edge of a defensive lineman.